Lesson
Name: The Nature of War
Category: Canadian and World Politics
Course
Code: CPW 4U1
Created By: Mark Melnyk
School:
Level: Grade 12
Time: 76 Minutes
Rationale:
During this lecture, it is necessary to trace the evolution of war in
the modern era (post Treaty of Westphalia). It is also necessary to take extra
care in making students aware of the human element of war, beyond the theory,
maps and statistics.
Expectations:
The International Influence of Ideologies
Ø describe
the main characteristics of the world’s major political ideologies (e.g.,
fascism, conservatism, liberalism, socialism, communism);
Ø demonstrate an understanding of various critiques of
traditional world views.
Nationalist
and Internationalist Orientations
Ø identify
the key components of nationalist ideology (e.g., the definition of nation,
types of nationalism, the role of the individual and the group);
Ø determine
the origins and effects of nationalist armed conflicts (e.g., the Balkan wars,
wars in Central Africa, apartheid in South Africa) and of rivalries rooted in
ethnocentrism (e.g., between India and Pakistan, between Israel and Arab
nations, between the diverse peoples of Indonesia);
Ø describe
the peaceful legal means used to adjudicate conflicts between governments
(e.g., Canadian federal-provincial conferences, the
Ø explain the key arguments for and against the processes of
“globalization” in economics, politics, and culture, as well as their
relationship to values, beliefs, and ideologies.
State
Power
Ø describe
the factors that help to determine the power and influence of a country (e.g.,
geography and demography, economic resources and markets, military strength and
diplomatic traditions);
Ø evaluate
the accuracy and usefulness of classifying states (e.g., as developing
countries; Western countries; non-aligned countries; major, medium, or small
powers) when describing relationships among states;
Instructions:
Introduction: Provide perspective and connection to previous lessons and
show how the nature of war ties into the current simulation. The issue of war
has always become an issue in both the Salon and IR Simulations. Students must
understand the human element of war.
1. Have the Computer and LCD projector set up in the classroom for the
lecture. The lecture basically follows three major themes:
i) The nature of war in history
ii) Theories of hegemonic stability
iii) Modern examples
2. Time should be provided to ask questions, the teacher might also choose to
develop an interactive delivery to keep students questioning the material and
asking questions.
3. Some time should be spent on the philosophy of war and its
inevitability in human nature. Students should understand techniques of
avoidance. The final quote by Plato provides seeds for discussion. The quote on
Slide 13 by Genghis Khan offers a frightening view of war. The Modern examples
can be augmented by using current events, newspapers and even video examples.
Lesson Closure: In the last few minutes of class try to provide
examples that inspire hope. Some of the challenges that exist in our world
often overshadow the small or large successes. Students should not leave the
room thinking that “we are all going to die”. They should leave with more
questions, and the desire to solve the world’s problems in their own way.
*Note:
Materials:
Þ
Computer
& LCD Projector
Þ
Course
Pack
Assessment & Evaluation:
-
Assess
student learning through Observation of student participation.
-
Evaluation
for Lectures comes on Test 1, the Mid-Term and the Final Exams.